North Carolina based rock band The Avett Brothers have been tapped to support Dave Matthews Band on select dates this coming Spring. The Avett Brothers join the tour from April 22, in Raleigh, NC through May 6, in Phoenix, AZ (see below for full tour itinerary). The Avett Brothers have built up an impressive and loyal fan base with constant touring. This prolific band are renowned for their high energy live shows and incredible mix of eclectic musical styles. Last year alone The Avett Brothers played upwards of 150 shows, including notable appearances at Bonnaroo and MerleFest. On July 26, 2008 The Avett Brothers played to an impressive, sold-out, crowd of over 7,000 people at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, NC. 2008 culminated with 5 sold out holiday shows in Asheville and Charlotte, NC.

The Avett Brothers will be featured on the March/April cover of American Songwriter magazine talking for the first time about their upcoming release. The band has been working with Grammy winning producer Rick Rubin on the follow up to their critically acclaimed 2007 album Emotionalism. The Rubin produced album is expected to hit stores in Summer of ’09.

In late 2008, The Avett Brothers released The Second GleamEP, which debuted at #82 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart. The EP garnered the band even more acclaim from such influential media as NPR and USA Today. The NY Daily News declared the EP to have “melodies as pure and pretty as a crystalline stream.”

A message to the fans from Five Finger Death Punch. "The rumors are true, only with less spins and no turbulence. Every band has its growing pains, and after 18 months in the trenches, relentless touring and living together, we all came to a conclusion that a change had to be made."

"It was a mutual agreement between the band and Darrell, and both parties wanted to handle this with class and as friends in our own time and on our own terms, however the rumor mill seems to work faster than anyone thought..."

"It was a swift and smooth transition and we all remain good friends. All clichés aside we really wish him the best on his musical endeavors."

"As for us, Darrell joined the band after our debut album was already recorded, so the direction and sound of Five Finger Death Punch obviously
won't change a bit."

Renowned shredder and the band's long time friend Jason Hook just finished up his contractual obligations with Alice Cooper, and he'll be taking over the second guitarist post. Zoltan exclaims, "He's an unbelievable player, and a good friend of all of us, so we hope our fans will welcome him in the Death Punch crew."

"We are pushing forward; the European tour is just a couple of weeks away, we're planning on more international tours in 09 and the release of our next record sometime this summer. We'd also like to use this opportunity to thank all of our fans for their dedication and their continuous support.... It's a rarity these days, but you guys are truly amazing and made this band a big success... See you all in the pit!"

Kelly Osbourne was arrested for assault on a reporter from the UK's The Mirror Magazine.Zoe Griffin from The Mirror apparently found herself on the wrong end of a Kelly Osbournefury attack last year. According to reports, Kelly took offence at a column claiming that her fiance Luke Worrall didn't know what an earthquake was and slapped Griffin across the face.

The police decided to finally arrest Kelly this week. More updates to come.....